On Sunday, February 16 Mary Lou Dickson, along with guest co-leader Andy Harrison, an active member of Charleston Audubon, will lead us on a birding tour of Bear Island and Donnelley WMAs. Managed by the SC Department of Natural Resources, these two properties in the ACE Basin have a combined area of some 20,000 acres and include a wide range of habitats, including mixed pine-hardwoods forest, tidal creeks, freshwater impoundments, salt marsh and agricultural fields. During the winter season these WMAs host a large number of waterfowl and wading birds, in addition to various raptors and many wintering songbird species. Charleston Audubon usually tries to visit these WMAs soon after Bear Island reopens to the public, but Mary Lou has arranged a separate trip just for Ogeechee Audubon with Andy’s help. There are never any guarantees, but it’s always possible we could encounter one of the rarities seen at Bear or Donnelley, such as a Ruff, Eurasian Wigeon, or the wayward and mysterious Great Kiskadee, which made Bear Island its home for two years in the recent past!

This will be an all-day trip, so bring water, snacks and a lunch in addition to your birding gear, including a scope if you have one. Restrooms and picnic areas are limited.

Trip rigor: Most of the birding will be done from the roadside so there will be a minimal amount of walking.

We will meet at 6:45 AM in the Pilot Travel Center parking lot at the intersection of US Hwy 17 North and I-95 in Hardeeville, SC and carpool from there to meet up with Andy.

Please register with Mary Lou prior to February 16 at marylou@dicksonimages.com or by phone at 919-559-6898.